Play@YSDC

As the spring draws into summer, the world of 1928 seems quiet and lazy in the more rural parts of New England. In order to aid the recovery from the shock of seeing Mickey and Minnie Mouse together in their first animation, Plane Crazy, the Arkham Gazette begins to bring to the attention of their readers some unusual news from neighbouring Vermont in the shape of a report from the Brattleboro Tattler.

It is of particular interest to one Henry Glynn.

Henry Glynn

"Alice, is the manuscript packaged up? Two copies? And the paper for the Theo-wotsit Society? So nice of Mrs Carmichael to invite me ... Say look at this in the Gazette ... a fire on Strafton Mountain! That's not far from where I grew up."

"Yes, Henry, everything's ready," says Alice, organized and efficient as ever. "I didn't know you were from Vermont." She peers at the article.

A couple of days later, a second article appears, presenting Alice with more opportunities to bring up Henry's origins.

Henry Glynn

"I hope you'll be able to come to Boston for my reading Alice? You'll be pleased to see Mrs Carmichael again. We may even meet George. I was thinking to invite Dr Balzac now that he has recovered his wits. Do you think I should wear the blue suit or the grey one?"

Henry notices that Alice is carrying a newspaper.

"Say, anything interesting in the Gazette today?"

"Yes, there's an article about another fire on that mountain in Vermont," says Alice, showing Henry the paper. "I'd be delighted to come to Boston for the reading. I've invested almost as much of myself into the book as you have, and it will be good to see the others again. I'm glad Dr. Balzac is doing better. I'd go with the blue suit. It's more lively, and the gray one is too somber. If you were doing a reading in the South, though, the gray one would go over better."

These blissful ruminations are interrupted yet again by another perplexing story from Brattleboro.

The new season finds Balzac a rather more paranoid and darker person. Spending a month in an asylum, however well hushed up, has not aided his reputation at the Universite de Montreal. The only saving grace is his colleagues all thought him crazy already, and a certain amount of eccentricity is expected of the academics.

Balzac is convinced the best starting point for his new found "interest" is New England and so has rented a garret in the student district of Harvard, from which he can travel as required while maintaining his frequent academic visits to Miskatonic. Many weekends he has caught the train from Montreal to pursue leads. Balzac has become far less trusting and keeps the various firearms bought for The Farm in a locked chest in said garret. He has also visited a Boston gun shop and purchased one of the new snub-nosed little Colt "Detective Specials". Most convenient for slipping into a pocket.

Henry Glynn

Henry shows the latest article to Alice as they prepare to leave for Boston for the evening reading, Henry in his blue suit.

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora's schedule as of late: 24 hours of sleep, followed by 24 hours of hectic work. Repeat cycle. She completed several major scale works, transforming her newly found nightmares into disturbing, yet intriguing paintings. Whirling shapes, flickering in and out of existence... In parallel, she is organizing the logistics and other necessary things for her exhibition at the Burlington Art Gallery in Vermont. And another item in her schedule is the upcoming reading of a chapter by Henry Glynn at the monthly meeting of the Theosophist book club. Luckily, for this one she only has to order some refreshments, cakes, and pick a dress to wear... After some consideration, she settles on a turquoise dress with white frill decoration, and her trademark patterns in the shoulder area (stitched in blue, almost blending in with the base color of the fabric).

Monday 5th June

Place: The Theosophist Society of Boston

Although he is a little nervous and surrounded mostly by strangers, Henry's reading is a great success. The blend of mystery and occult in the story, reinforced by Henry’s heartfelt rendition, stirs the watching guests to great shows of emotion. Henry finds himself being feted for perhaps the first time in his writing career. He basks in the warm glow of adulation, and begins to feel a confidence which has been lacking in the previous few months. Several of the society express an interest in financing his manuscript.

Both Henry and Alice are invited by George Auden to stay on in Boston at his and Isadora’s home, in order to take advantage of the opportunities offered. They gladly accept.

Henry Glynn

"How kind of you to ask us to stay Mr Auden. How nice to see you again Mrs Carmichael. What a charming dress. Has anyone seen Dr Balzac? I took the liberty of inviting him."

Isadora Carmichael

"Dr. Balzac? I haven't seen him yet, but maybe he is here, after all," Isadora says, scanning the crowded gathering room. People are moving towards the table with the refreshments or towards the exit, patting Henry on the shoulder on the way out.

Henry Glynn

"Thank you so much for inviting me to read. I think it's been a tremendous success. I hope you enjoyed it. If you would indulge me as to which part you liked best I should be so grateful? Of course I couldn't have written it in half the time without Alice! But I hear you've been busy yourself? An exhibition in Vermont?"

Isadora Carmichael

"As you might understand, I have a more... personal connection to this story, then the rest of the audience. As for the writing, I think it flows nicely, and this first chapter leaves me wanting to read further, which, I guess, is a good thing!"

Isadora smiles and shivers, remembering the occurrences in that house.

"Yes, I'm going to Vermont soon to examine the gallery space. I really have to see it first to finalize which pictures would fit there best!"

Henry Glynn

"The bit where Verena steals the amulet ... Alice's idea!"

"Say, did you read about those strange fires up in Vermont?"

Isadora Carmichael

"No, I don't really read the papers..."

She looks around quickly, and sees that her husband is busy talking to one of the Society's senior members a few steps away.

"Strange fires, you say? In what way strange?"

Henry Glynn

Henry tells Isadora about the newspaper articles.

"Caught my attention - I'm from up that way. Just out of Newfane. Prettiest place you ever saw."

Henry moves on to speak with George Auden, leaving Isadora and Alice together.

Isadora Carmichael

The story about strange flames (no doubt shining even brighter in Henry's retelling) catches Isadora's attention. Maybe the image resonates with her artistic sensibilities: uncanny fires on a dark mountainside...

"I will keep my eyes peeled while I'm there!"

George Auden finally disengages himself from the guests and joins the companions.

"A great success Mr. Glynn! My congratulations. Shall we return home? I still have some beer if you'd like to celebrate."

He looks around.

"Did your friend Dr. Balzac attend?"

Alice is wearing a little black dress, now that the weather is starting to get warmer. She is pleased to accept the invitation. "I like your dress too," she says. "How have you been, Isadora?"

Balzac pays the taxi driver and steps out, double checking the address with that in his notebook. The Theosophist Society? Well, you never know... Did I miss the reading? One can only hope.

Balzac is in his usual slightly battered suit and bowler, but the last few months appear to have aged him somewhat faster than they should. Pausing to light a Gauloises, he ambles inside and scans the crowd for his colleagues, noting in passing any attractive ladies among the seekers after esoteric truths (or at least Mr Glynn's pulp fiction).

Henry Glynn

"Here he is now! Balzac you devil - you've missed the whole thing! How have you been? Have you met Mr George Auden?"

Aside to Balzac "We're off to George's place on promise of beer!"

Isadora Carmichael

"Dr. Balzac! So good to see you again!"

Isadora wonders: wouldn't Henry's story re-trigger poor Balzac's trauma?

"Yes, do join us!"

The companions enjoy a convivial evening of beer and conversation. They are happy to be together again, although George’s presence puts a hold on any full-blown reminiscences. He is pleased though to see Isadora relaxing in the company of friends, a big change compared to the restlessness she showed after her return from Arkham.

The next couple of days are spent visiting the sights of Boston and enjoying the early summer weather. Henry is contacted by the editor of a local publishing house, which while not particularly large, is well-respected and willing to negotiate.

These pleasantries are disturbed however, by an article in Thursday’s Arkham Gazette, which Isadora orders especially.

"Goodness!" exclaims Alice. "That poor man! I had no idea he was that old, and up on that mountain by himself. I hope they find him all right."

Balzac, staying on in Boston for a few days for alleged botanical research, routinely scans copies of the Arkham Gazette among other publications for indications or hints of this new science he is keen to pursue. The articles from the 'Tattler' are starting to intrigue him.

Balzac strolls down to the Western Union office and telegrams the Gazette, asking if there are any updates on the missing reporter and if it has any further information it can share, expressing an interest in helping find the man.

Then he'll use a pay phone to telephone Isadora, to see if she has seen the articles.

OOC,Assuming she has a telephone, if not he'll send a note by Western Union messenger boy.

Isadora Carmichael

"Is it somebody you know?" asks Isadora when Alice and Henry show her the article.

The Carmichael-Auden estate has a telephone, and Balzac is invited to come over any time he wants to discuss the case.

Henry Glynn

"A dear friend of my late father Henry Snr. If only there was something I could do to help!"

Balzac learns from the Gazette that search parties comprised of locals and the Windham County Constabulary haven’t found anything yet. It’s a large area, and is still mostly unsettled.

George reacts with concern about Henry’s statement; he has a great sense of loyalty.

“How terrible!” he says. “What can we do to help?”

Henry Glynn

"Maybe I should head up there and lend a hand with the search. If only I had transport ..."

innsmouth wrote:Henry Glynn

"Maybe I should head up there and lend a hand with the search. If only I had transport ..."

This is Isadora's cue!

"Well, I'm renting a lorry to take two of my large scale works, Imago I and Imago II, and several smaller pieces to Vermont tomorrow. Some of us can sit by the driver in the cabin, or travel next to the pictures."

Henry Glynn

"How good of you Mrs Carmichael. I'd be more than happy to slot in between the Imagos!"

To Alice:

"I suppose you'll want to return to Arkham?"

“Nonsense!” cries George. “You can use our touring car. We don’t have need of it right now, my work prevents us from getting away”.

George waves away any protests.

“I insist! It’s only sitting in the garage at the moment. You can accompany the paintings in comfort, and check on your friend”.

"Why would I want to go back?" asks Alice. "I'd like to do what I can to help."

Balzac appears at Isadora and George's door, clutching a bag of Boston's best sweet pastries, with several pertinent copies of the Arkham Gazette and a map of Vermont under his arm. A cab can be seen driving off.

"Bonjour mes amies! I come bearing gifts and mysteries. Anyone feel like a drive to Vermont?"